Oil pressure switch leaking - which part number to replace it with?

[talljames]

ps. its not as easy on a v8 as you have to get to it from underneith.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by talljames

How is it that they can pump oil against gravity up the inside of the electrical pipe to come out the top of the engine where the electrical wires come out? Your not supposed to see oil coming out there.

I'm not sure which conduit you are referring to as I don't have a V8 but I can say that I've seen oil "wick" it's away up and along looms before. Sometimes small air pressure differences (caused by air moving past an opening - the venturi effect) will create a vaccum that can also suck oil up a channel etc. It's amazing where oil ends up once it gets outside the engine!!

[talljames]

hmmm..interesting. Would love to hear from anyone that has had this vacumn oil issue up through the electrical conduit. The car was on the lift at BMW and they gave me a look. There were three electrical conduits I could see. The guy said there was oil coming out of one of them. Here is the link to a similar problem.

https://youtu.be/Oemb3G9PtJc

[cn90]

I understand this is V8 engine, but I believe it is the same oil P switch for different BMW engines.

I last replaced the OPS in my 1998 528i, factory was TRW, new is FEP.
I wrote the trick for M52 engine below:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=48

[talljames]

So, I haven’t yet got myself a hydraulic jack and stands yet so I took it to BMW. They did an investigation and wanted to replace the valve cover gaskets, timing case seals which they said were leaking. Both these jobs were over $2500 each. Then they wanted to look at the pan at the bottom. They observed the oil coming out the top but only said there was a sensor problem below. There was a couple of other things also. All up over $6000!!!. My heart sank. I thought about it and was sure the oil pressure switch was the main problem. All up $250 for the investigation. (there’s my jack and stands). So, I took it to a local mechanic and asked him to replace the switch. I even pointed out where it was. After a good degrease and running of the engine no oil leaks. The timing covers and valve cover gasket were actually fine. I will check them again in the near future.

So, now I am a very happy and relieved. All up ~$180. Phew! Another stealership story.

[talljames]

Final addition. I do have a small weeping leak but only from the left side valve cover gasket. Getting the courage to do that.